COMMENT https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-18182-5 OPEN Single atom catalysis: a decade of stunning progress and the promise for a bright future ✉ Sharon Mitchell1 & Javier Pérez-Ramírez 1 Controlling the hybridization of single atoms in suitable host materials opens unique opportunities for catalyst design, but equally faces many challenges. 1234567890():,; Here, we highlight emerging directions from the last, highly productive, decade in single-atom catalysis and identify frontiers for future research. Origins and evolution of single-atom catalysis The isolation of elements as atoms in chemically-distinct substances played fundamental cata- lytic roles, for example, in metalloenzymes, organometallic complexes, and open framework structures, long before this concept was extended to widely applied heterogeneous catalysts based on supported metals. In pioneering early work, Flytzani-Stephanopoulos et al. provided con- vincing evidence that ionic gold or platinum species strongly associated with the surface of ceria, and not the metal nanoparticles, were responsible for the activity observed in the water–gas shift reaction (Fig. 1, L1)1. Subsequently, Bashyam and Zelenay proposed that oxidized cobalt and iron species coordinated to nitrogen and oxygen in functionalized carbons deliver high per- formance in the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (Fig. 1, L2)2. After years of spec- ulation about the catalytic role of single atoms of this group of elements, advances in experimental techniques made it possible to confirm the exclusive presence of isolated centers. In their landmark paper, Zhang et al. confirmed the high efficiency of platinum atoms supported on iron oxide for CO oxidation, introducing a new paradigm in heterogeneous catalysis (Fig. 1, L3)3. The first catalytic applications of single-atom alloys based on metal hosts followed shortly after (Fig. 1, L5)4. In just a decade, the topic of single-atom catalysis has become a highly transversal field of contemporary chemical research. Early researchers quickly recognized the potential cost benefits of using atomically-dispersed species for precious metals, and improving the utilization became a central driver in the topic. As the area developed, the motivation also evolved. Comparative studies revealed that the strategy of using SACs does not apply to all applications and depends on the reaction requirements5. Another strength is the higher uniformity of potential active sites in heterogeneous catalysts based on single atoms compared to nanoparticles. The well-defined nature is attractive for both defining structure–function relationships and computational modeling. Furthermore, the close structural resemblance to molecular complexes provides a bridge between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. On the 10-year journey since the consolidation of the topic, single-atom catalysis has crossed the periodic table. The diversity of host materials has also expanded. While metal oxides were initially most widely studied, tailored carbons have superseded all other types in the last years. 1 Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland. ✉ email: [email protected] NATURE COMMUNICATIONS | (2020) 11:4302 | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-18182-5 | www.nature.com/naturecommunications 1 COMMENT NATURE COMMUNICATIONS | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-18182-5 Co & Fe SACs CO-IR Operando SACs replace Dual-atom SAAs with free Scale up of proposed for applied to XAFS applied homogeneous catalysts atom like d SACs the ORR SACs to SACs catalysts introduced states demonstrated 2006 2011 2014 2016 2017 2018 2019 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 2003 2011 2012 2014 2016 2017 2019 2020 Pt & Au SACs Pt SACs First Operando TEM First use of Tuning 2nd Dynamic Speciation proposed for reported for application of applied to SACs in coordination charge states control permits the WGSR CO oxidation SAAs SACs photocatalysis sphere described new applications Fig. 1 Progress in single-atom catalysis. Timeline showing landmarks (L = 1–15) leading up to and during the last decade of research on the synthesis (purple), characterization (green), and application (blue) of single-atom metal catalysts. ORR oxygen reduction reaction, WGSR water–gas shift reaction, SAA single-atom alloy, TEM transmission electron microscopy, XAFS X-ray absorption fine structure, CO-IR infrared spectroscopy of adsorbed CO. The scope of applications has diversified, with electrochemical SACs should not just be simple interpolations of those of the conversions growing in emphasis and promising findings emer- constituents. In single-atom alloys, the electronic structure typi- ging in photocatalysis. Recognition of the limitations of existing cally exhibits a mean-field behavior. Recently emergent char- techniques has also prompted increased precision in the char- acteristics were demonstrated in AgCu alloys by weak acterization, demanding the use of multiple complementary wavefunction mixing between minority and majority elements10. methods as well as investigation under operando conditions The resulting narrowing of the d-band originated a free-atom like (Fig. 1, L4, L6, and L7)6. Here, we highlight some of the main electronic structure for copper single atoms, permitting both ionic directions developing from the intense efforts of the scientific and covalent contributions to adsorbate bonding (Fig. 1,L12). community as well as frontiers in the design of SACs. Distinct catalytic behavior can also result from electronic dynamics. The coexistence of dynamically interconnected charge Tailored local environments states between platinum atoms and ceria enabled a low- During the discovery of the first SACs based on late-transition temperature reaction path for CO oxidation (Fig. 1,L13)11. metals, the design of the coordination sites received little atten- tion. The success was somewhat serendipitous and improved by Breakthroughs for sustainable chemistry keeping the metal content low. Understanding the importance of The potential of single-atom catalysts has been explored in ensuring a well-defined bonding with the support enabled the fi diverse thermo-, electro-, and photochemical applications ranging preparation of the rst industrially-amenable SACs, displaying from small-molecule activation to the construction of fine che- high thermal stability and selective character in alkyne semi- 7 micals. Within this broad context, two areas promise revolu- hydrogenation . The crystalline nature of the polymeric graphitic tionary breakthroughs; the replacement of precious-metal-based carbon nitride carrier, containing six-fold nitrogen-coordinating catalysts in energy-related transformations and of molecular cavities intrinsic to the lattice, offers abundant anchoring points catalysts in organic synthesis. In the first category, the large-scale for metals and facilitates structural analysis by reducing the application of electrochemical routes for the production of fuels is diversity of coordination structures. contingent on the development of inexpensive and efficient cat- In the last years, interest in tailoring the local environment of alytic materials (Fig. 1, L2). Exceptional performance has been single atoms has grown intending to optimize the geometric and demonstrated for iron, cobalt, and nickel atoms isolated as single electronic properties as well as the associated reactivity of the atoms on nitrogen-doped carbons for the oxygen reduction2, resulting materials. Variation of the speciation of metal atoms on 12 13 fi hydrogen evolution , and carbon dioxide reduction reactions. carbon supports enabled the development of the rst stable het- Research on single-atom photocatalysts is at an earlier stage than erogeneous catalyst for the sustainable production of vinyl 8 electrocatalysts, but also shows promising potential for con- chloride via acetylene hydrochlorination (Fig. 1, L15) . Whereas tributing to solve the energy crisis (Fig. 1, L9)14. initial attempts focused on gold single atoms supported on The well-defined geometric and electronic properties created nitrogen-doped carbons due to their superior activity, the pre- by the specific interaction of isolated atoms with host materials sence of the heteroatom in the support led to rapid deactivation resemble those defined by ligands in molecular catalysts. The due to the deposition of carbonaceous deposits. In contrast, structural parallels present new opportunities to develop hetero- platinum atoms are stable on activated carbons without the need geneous catalysts displaying competitive performance to state-of- of introducing nitrogen functionalities as binding sites, endowing the-art homogeneous analogs (Fig. 1, L8)15,16. The use of hosts them with unparalleled durability. Besides the chemical identity providing a flexible coordination environment proved to be a and arrangement of nearest-neighbor atoms, researchers are critical factor in ensuring the catalyst stability, adapting to the increasingly exploring the effects of tailoring the second coordi- specific requirements of the catalytic cycle16. While SACs are nation sphere and beyond (Fig. 1, L11)9. fi unlikely to provide a drop-in solution, these studies call for The speci c host and coordination environment determine the dedicated efforts to design low-nuclearity heterogeneous catalysts electronic structure of SACs. Since strong binding through ionic or for the synthesis of complex organic molecules. covalent interactions is typically